For the first time ever, Marvel Rivals is diving into PvE territory with its upcoming Marvel Zombies mode. After months of fan requests for a co-op experience, NetEase has officially confirmed that players will soon be able to take on waves of undead heroes and villains in an all-new limited-time event.
The announcement came straight from Gamescom Asia 2025, where Marvel Rivals Executive Producer Danny Koo joined forces with Brad Winderbaum, Marvel’s Head of Streaming, TV, and Animation. Together, they revealed that this PvE mode draws direct inspiration from the Marvel Zombies animated series on Disney+—bridging the worlds of animation and interactive gameplay like never before.
The new mode officially launches on October 23, 2025, at 12 PM UTC, giving players just enough time to assemble their squad and sharpen their hero skills before the undead invasion begins.
What to Expect in the Marvel Zombies Mode
Unlike the traditional PvP structure that defines Marvel Rivals, this mode is entirely player-versus-environment, allowing teams of up to four players to fight together against relentless zombie waves. The final challenge? Taking down one of two powerful bosses — Zombie Namor or Queen of the Dead Scarlet Witch.
Playable Heroes
You’ll be able to choose from five iconic heroes, each with enhanced, zombie-slaying abilities tailored for this event:
- Thor – Unleashes his thunderous power in a persistent Awakened State, stunning groups of zombies with electrical fury.
- Blade – Uses his Moon Blades to slice through hordes in close-quarters combat.
- Magik – Transforms into her limitless Darkchild form, rampaging through enemies with demonic strength.
- Jeff the Land Shark – Can sneak through undead lines undetected before launching surprise attacks.
- The Punisher – Deploys an automatic turret while dishing out massive gunfire damage.
Each hero’s kit has been fine-tuned for PvE play, encouraging teamwork and ability synergy to keep the zombie tide under control.
PvE Gameplay Highlights
Players enter the battlefield as part of a four-member squad, with each hero starting with increased health (over 2200 HP) to sustain longer fights. Expect multiple zombie waves escalating in difficulty — from slow-moving infected to elite undead fighters that demand strategy and coordination.
Combat pacing appears fast and cinematic, staying true to Marvel Rivals’ third-person shooter roots while introducing survival mechanics more common in co-op titles. It’s a chance for Marvel fans to finally team up as heroes rather than fight against each other — something long requested by the community since the game’s launch.
Possible Rewards and Additions
While the developers haven’t confirmed all rewards, hints suggest new skins, emblems, and zombie-themed cosmetics may arrive alongside the update. Some players also speculate that the mode could expand later with new playable heroes or bonus challenges inspired by the Marvel Zombies series.
This PvE event isn’t just fan service—it’s also a smart collaboration between Marvel Games and Marvel Animation to promote the Disney+ series and reinvigorate the game’s player base.
Launch Date: October 23, 2025
Mode Type: PvE (Co-op, 4-player teams)
Playable Heroes: Thor, Blade, Magik, Jeff the Land Shark, The Punisher
Bosses: Zombie Namor, Queen of the Dead Scarlet Witch
Stay tuned — the undead are coming.
